NFL Player Ray McDonald Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

Greg Trott—APSan Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald during an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams on Dec. 1, 2013, in San Francisco.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle was arrested the same week NFL introduced harsher punishments for domestic violence offenders

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald was arrested early Sunday morning on felony domestic violence charges, according to the San Jose Police Department.

McDonald was taken into custody and brought to the Santa Clara County Jail after officers responded to reports of a violent altercation in San Jose, Calif., around 2:45 a.m., NBC Bay Area reports. The alleged victim was pregnant. No bail has been set.

The 29-year-old, who has been with the team since 2007, was previously arrested in 2010 for DUI and again in 2012 for an outstanding warrant.

The arrest comes in the same week as National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell instituted harsher punishments for players guilty of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes against women. First-time offenders will be subject to a six-game suspension, while a repeat offender will be banned from the league for life.

Goodell was motivated to change the league’s policies after being widely criticized over the suspension of Ray Rice for only two games in July, after the Baltimore Ravens running back was captured on video pulling his unconscious fiancé out of an elevator following an altercation.

In a Sunday statement, 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke said that the team is “aware of the recent reports regarding Ray McDonald and we take such matters seriously. As we continue to gather the facts, we will reserve further comment.”

Former 49ers players say head coach Jim Harbaugh has a zero-tolerance policy for assaulting women, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. “He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us except put our hands on women,” Donte Whitner, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns, said in 2012. “If you put your hand on a woman, then you’re done in his book.”

YOU BROKE TIME.COM!

Dear TIME Reader,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy.
Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.